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Literature Scripts, Grades K—2

Stimulate each student's thinking skills and build other life skills with Readers Theater based on literature. Choose a variety of scripts adapted from literature. (Don't expect any direct excerpts unless the source is in the public domain.) I don't adapt copyrighted material; but, your students will probably see similarities to the literature referenced (e.g., Charlotte's Web and our script "This Little Piggie Loves Jokes). How about compare and contrast lessons?

Click on a Readers Theater script title below to read an excerpt from the script and to access the printable PDF(complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans).

IMPORTANT: Most of our scripts are available to our paying Script Buffet Club members only. Each one pays a little and reaps a lot. :)

Would your students enjoy getting to know a heroine from Black History? "Harriet Tubman, Alias Moses: The Swamp Mystery" is #2 in our true-to-life Readers Theater scripts from the original biography of Harriet Tubman by Sarah Bradford (1869). Harriet Tubman told Mrs. Bradford the story of her life, including some of her adventures as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.

Another script in our series on Aesop's Fables, "The Dog and the Wolf" creates a conflict with no real resolution. Who is right? Let your students decide. This flexible script could be used with any age level. Younger students will enjoy the story. Older students will appreciate the thought-provoking discussions you may choose. This serious script with a few light-hearted lines explores deeper issues suitable for grades 3-5, 6-8, and up. You could include it in a study on slavery and the Underground Railroad or just keep it as a fun story by Aesop. "The Dog and the Wolf" comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans. (Updated 2017.) What moral do your students suggest for this Readers Theater script?

Ask your students, "Can you ever please everybody?" Then let them enjoy this humorous adaptation of another of Aesop's Fables, "The Miller, His Son, and Their Donkey–Crazy?" This Readers Theater script has many parts, but we show you how to easily combine parts for fewer readers. It's perfect for primary students, struggling readers, or ESL (ESOL) classes. Older students will also enjoy interpreting the characters. "The Miller, His Son, and Their Donkey–Crazy?" comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans. (Updated 2017.) Use it with some of our other Readers Theater fables for a program featuring Aesop's Fables. (Note: This script is part of our coming Flexi-Curric™ Store Product, "Aesop's Fables Collection, Vol. 1.")

Short. Spunky! Character building. "The Beaver and the Lumberjack" Readers Theater is adapted from one of Aesop's Fables. The original Aesop's Fable is known as "The Honest Woodcutter," "The Honest Woodman," "The Golden Axe," "Mercury and the Woodsmen," and more. Part of our character building category,"The Beaver and the Lumberjack" comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans. (Updated 2017.) (Note: This script is included in our Flexi-Curric™ Store product, "Aesop's Fables Collection, Vol. 1".)

If you like simple fun for a small groups it should be perfect! Or, use the script chorally with two groups reading the character parts and the teacher reading the narrator parts. Although the readability is grade 3, Aesop's Fables are classic, so this script motivates students in grades 2-8. Use it as a springboard for discussion–even in middle school.

Are you looking for a script for a variety of readers at different reading levels? "The Frogs Who Wished for a King," has a few stimulating vocabulary words for three characters (e.g., Señor Sage Frog). But, this Readers Theater adaptation of Aesop's Fable includes a frog chorus for challenged readers, too (e.g., "Ribbit. Ribbit. Ribbit. Zing!"). Aesop does not mention an election in his story, but our Reader's Theater adaptation includes one where the frog chorus cheers, "Bubba! Bubba! Bubba!..." Keep the discussion light, or dig deeper because historically this Aesop's fable has had political undertones. Perfect for grades 2-8, "The Frogs Who Wished for a King" comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans. (Updated 2017.) (Note: This script is included in our coming Flexi-Curric™ Store product, "Aesop's Fables Collection, Vol 1.")

Adapted from Aesop's Fables for Readers Theater, "The Council of Mice" provides an opportunity for a wide range of readers to participate in the fun. The "Council" functions as a chorus in this creative twist on a sometimes familiar story. Casting suggestions show you how to adapt the script so any number of readers. Perfect for grades 2-8, "The Council of Mice" comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans. (Note: This script is part of our coming Flexi-Curric™ STORE product , "Aesop's Fables Collection, Vol. 1".)

So, you think you know Aesop's Fable "The Fox and the Crow"? This script for puppets or Readers Theater continues the story and adds a humorous twist at the end to please any audience. Perfect for 2, 3, or 4 readers or choral groups, "The Fox and the Crow" comes with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans. (Updated 2017.) (Note: This script is part of our coming Flexi-Curric™ Store product, "Aesop's Fables Collection, Vol. 1.")

Sled dogs. Saving children. Nonfiction adventure. "The Great Race" remembers The Great Race of Mercy in 1925 saving Nome, Alaska, from a diphtheria epidemic. Twenty sled dog teams and their mushers raced a non-stop relay to rush the life-saving antitoxin serum to the doctor in the middle of a winter snowstorm. This easy script is in our Holidays, Seasons & Events category and comes complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, too. Perfect for those who can read at a first grade level or above, the 2-character script may be used chorally or as a partner play with two font options. (Note: This script may be too juvenile for adult learners, but we have other scripts they may like from the same race including "Togo Tales." Use the search box or go to our Store)

Togo ran as lead sled dog for the historic Great Race of Mercy–also known as the Great Serum Race in 1925. "Togo–Sled Dog Hero, a True Story (Part 1–Simplified)" tells a story of Togo as a "delinquent" pup. Although this script may stand alone, students will want to read parts 2 and 3 to learn more about the sled dog hero. This character-building script includes over 45 annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans. There are three versions of this script: original (R= 4.7 ), simplified (R= 3.1 ), and advanced (R = 5.9 ). The simplified version in the easiest version. (We also have a primary level set of 3 short scripts on the life of Togo, "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" with a readability of grade 1.2) A Script Buffet Club member requested a script on the Iditarod, so now we have a growing collection for readers of different levels.

Historical adventure. One of 3 scripts on the life of Togo, a sled dog hero. "Togo–Sled Dog Hero, A True Story (Part 2, Simplified)" describes one of Togo's adventures BEFORE the historic sled dog relay for The Great Serum Race (i.e., The Great Race of Mercy) in the 1925 diphtheria epidemic in Alaska. This script may stand alone; however, if you want to know more about Togo's adventures as a pup and a grown dog see parts 1 and 3. This character-building script includes over 45 annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans. There are three versions of this script: original (R=5.0), simplified (R = 3.5), and advanced (R = 5.7). The simplified version is the easiest version. (We also have a primary level script called "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" that includes 3 short scripts about Togo with a readability of grade 1.2) Since a Script Buffet Club member requested a script on the Iditarod, we have a growing collection of exciting scripts.

Historical adventure. One of 3 scripts on the life of Togo, a sled dog hero. "Togo–Sled Dog Hero, A True Story (Part 3, Simplified)" tells Togo's part in the historic sled dog relay for The Great Serum Race–also known as The Great Race of Mercy–in the 1925 diphtheria epidemic in Alaska. This script may stand alone; however, if you want to know more about Togo's adventures as a pup and a grown dog see parts 1 and 2. This character-building script includes over 45 annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans. There are three versions of this script: original (R=4.5), simplified(R = 3.2), and advanced (R = 5.5). The simplified version is the easiest version. (We also have a primary level script called "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" that includes 3 short scripts about Togo with a readability of grade 1.2) We have a growing collection of scripts on the Iditarod because of a Script Buffet Club member's request.

3 easy scripts. Character-building stories. Sled dog adventures. "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" includes these three true stories: "Togo Runs Away," "Togo Saves the Team," and "Togo Leads the Way." Togo became a key sled dog for The Great Serum Race–also known as The Great Race of Mercy–in the 1925 diphtheria epidemic in Alaska. He led his team more miles than any other team; however, he did not make newspaper headlines because he did not deliver the life-saving serum to Nome. (Balto, another sled dog, became famous for that.) The annual Iditarod Race commemorates the historic serum race and travels the same trail. A Script Buffet Club member requested an Iditarod script. "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" is part of our growing Iditarod collection of Readers Theater scripts. Perfect for primary level students, ELL and ESL students, and special ed students, "Togo Tales–From Pup to Hero" provides plenty of Readers Theater fun. Includes vocabulary lists, tips, and over 45 annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans.

Praise from Teachers

...Keep doing what you are doing. There are not enough quality scripts available for children and teens. So many are inappropriate from a parent's perspective. As a teacher I want to also build character and integrity while I teach a subject. Why can't drama build up, inspire and be thought provoking?...Anyway, keep doing what you're doing...we need all the help we can get!Jen H., Drama teacher

> ...I have been teaching for 35 years. RT has been part of my education journey for the majority of that time. Initially my experience with it was as a performance genre in the Drama Curriculum. Now I use it across the curriculum - a wonderful high motivation strategy in the language program - particularly reading - and so much more as you would know. I was drawn to your 'community' by the idea of leadership... I think what you're doing is wonderful..."Graham B. Former primary teacher (now a Visual Art and Drama specialist)

Readers Theater All Year is the most comprehensive collection of Readers Theater scripts and resources I have found on the internet!...Thank you Carol for your leadership and vision and for making Readers Theater so accessible for teachers and parents.Daniel Fiore, Elementary teacher/author What They Have Taught Me

I found the free readers theater online scripts, teaching tips, and curriculum teleseminars at Readers Theater All Year very inspirational to me. I used the Twelve Days of Christmas...Vacation script in my ESOL classes before Christmas break and my students all enjoyed it..Lily T. Teacher (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

"> ..We did Squanto's Squash for the family on Thanksgiving and [my sons] participated and loved it. I am so excited about making this a major part of homeschooling. What a great way to learn!Bethany P. Homeschooling Mom

> ...re: our script "The Earth Day Hen and Friends" I've used this! The kids love it. Thank you for sharing...It's just right for all levels in the class...Your free scripts are wonderful!...They learn so much from drama and reader's theatre...I see the shy ones gain confidence as they read. Fluency and prosody increases with reader's theatre...Angela D., 3rd grade teacher

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